10:29 PM,
Jan. 14, 2014

Don Smithey, head of the Des Moines International Airport, is retiring Feb. 14. He helped bring Southwest Airlines to town.

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Des Moines' top airport official, who helped recruit Southwest Airlines and set new passenger records, said Tuesday that he will retire next month.

Don Smithey, 73, was pulled out of retirement four years ago to serve as executive director of the Des Moines International Airport.

He ushered in the creation of an airport authority board and has seen the airport's annual passenger numbers surge past 2 million, setting a record each of the last two years. His last day will be Feb. 14. ...